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Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
Explaining this further, when the senses are in the state of non-contact with their objects, they simply remain themselves in their own form and nature (ie. svarupa). And because the senses have broken contact with their objects, the chitta too can no longer contact the sense-objects. It now dwells as itself, in its own form and nature (svarupa). The senses then in non-contact with their objects turn towards such a stilled chitta and thereby somewhat resemble the state (svarupa) of the chitta. Such a control of senses together with that of the chitta is Pratyahara.
The word Pratyahara is also widely used in Yoga and [[Tantra (तन्त्रम्)|Tantra literature]] to describe a special system of using the breath for withdrawal of the senses. These breathing practices do not come under Pranayama. The breath is used only as a pretext for connecting with the Vayu (the flow principle) in the Pranamaya [[Five Koshas (पञ्चकोशाः)|Kosha]]. When the flow principle is channelised then it begins to touch the Manomaya Kosha and all the sensations and experiences of the senses, that were being carried along with the flow principle are merged into the becalmed [[Manas (मनः)|mind]].
This is referred to by Shri Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita while describing a Sthitaprajna when he states, <blockquote>यदा संहरते चायं कूर्मोऽङ्गानीव सर्वशः । इन्द्रियाणीन्द्रियार्थेभ्यस्तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता ॥२.५८॥<ref name=":4" />
yadā saṁharate cāyaṁ kūrmo'ṅgānīva sarvaśaḥ । indriyāṇīndriyārthebhyastasya prajñā pratiṣṭhitā ॥2.58॥ </blockquote>Meaning: When, like the tortoise which withdraws its limbs from all sides, one withdraws the senses from the sense-objects then one's wisdom becomes steady.<ref>[https://vedpuran.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/455_gita_roman.pdf The Bhagavad Gita], Gorakhpur: Gita Press.</ref>
The word Pratyahara is also widely used in Yoga and [[Tantra (तन्त्रम्)|Tantra literature]] to describe a special system of using the breath for withdrawal of the senses. These breathing practices do not come under Pranayama. The breath is used only as a pretext for connecting with the Vayu (the flow principle) in the Pranamaya [[Panchakosha (पञ्चकोषाः)|Kosha]]. When the flow principle is channelised then it begins to touch the Manomaya Kosha and all the sensations and experiences of the senses, that were being carried along with the flow principle are merged into the becalmed [[Manas (मनः)|mind]].<ref name=":2" />
=== योगोपनिषत्सु प्रत्याहारः ॥ Pratyahara in Yogopanishads ===
A group of 20 Upanishads amongst the 108 Upanishads enlisted in the Muktikopnishad are designated as Yogopanishads<ref name=":5">T. R. Srinivasa Ayyangar (1938), [https://universaltheosophy.com/pdf-library/The%20Yoga%20Upanisads.pdf The Yoga Upanishads], Madras: The Adyar Library.</ref> as they delineate Yoga darshana as part of their subject-matter. Consequently, expositions on Pratyahara, a vital limb of the Ashtanga Yoga Darshana, feature in these Upanishads. Some such explanations of the term Pratyahara from select Yogopanishads are enlisted below.
The Trishikhi Brahmana Upanishad describes Pratyahara as an inward-tuned state of mind.<ref name=":6">Ashish Pandey (2022), Lecture Presentation on Yoga and Positive Psychology for Managing Career and Life (Session 18 - Pratyahar as the Intervention for Managing Self and Career).</ref> <blockquote>चित्तस्यान्तर्मुखीभावः प्रत्याहारस्तु सत्तम ॥ २.३०॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Trishikhi Brahmanopanishad]</ref> cittasyāntarmukhībhāvaḥ pratyāhārastu sattama ॥ 2.30॥ </blockquote>Mandala Brahmana Upanishad and Yoga Chudamani Upanishad describe Pratyahara as detachment of senses from their respective sense-objects.<ref name=":6" /> <blockquote>विषयेभ्य इन्द्रियार्थेभ्यो मनोनिरोधनं प्रत्याहारः ॥१.७॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Mandala Brahmanopanishad]</ref> viṣayebhya indriyārthebhyo manonirodhanaṁ pratyāhāraḥ ॥1.7॥
चरतां चक्षुरादीनां विषयेषु यथाक्रमम् । यत्प्रत्याहरणं तेषां प्रत्याहरः स उच्यते ॥ १२०॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Yoga Chudamanyupanishad]</ref>
caratāṁ cakṣurādīnāṁ viṣayeṣu yathākramam । yatpratyāharaṇaṁ teṣāṁ pratyāharaḥ sa ucyate ॥ 120॥ </blockquote>The Tejo Bindu Upanishad describes Pratyahara as that pleasant state of the mind that is achieved when one observes the atman in the sense-objects and states that it should be practised repeatedly.<ref name=":5" /> <blockquote>विषयेष्वात्मतां दृष्ट्वा मनसश्चित्तरञ्जकम् । प्रत्याहारः स विज्ञेयोऽभ्यसनीयो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ ३४ ॥<ref>Tejo Bindupanishad, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D#%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8A%E0%A4%BD%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 1]</ref>
viṣayeṣvātmatāṁ dr̥ṣṭvā manasaścittarañjakam । pratyāhāraḥ sa vijñeyo'bhyasanīyo muhurmuhuḥ ॥ 34 ॥ </blockquote>The Shandilya Upanishad describes Pratyahara in a fivefold manner as follows:
* Forcible withdrawal of the sense organs from the objects of sensual pleasures with which they interact.
* Looking upon everything one sees as atman, the true self.
* Giving up the desires to attain the fruits of one’s actions.
* Turning one’s attentions away from all material things and thoughts.
* Projection of Pranic (vital) energy and mind on the 18 vital regions of one’s body (marmasthanas) by shifting attention from one point to another.<ref name=":6" />
<blockquote>... विषयेषु विचरतामिन्द्रियाणां बलादाहरणं प्रत्याहरः । यद्यत्पश्यति तत्सर्वमामेति प्रत्याहारः । नित्यविहितकर्मफलत्यागः प्रत्याहारः । सर्वविषयपराङ्मुखत्वं प्रत्याहारः । अष्टादशसु मर्मस्थानेषु क्रमाद्धारणं प्रत्याहारः ... ॥ १.८॥<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B7%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D Shandilyopanishad]</ref>
... viṣayeṣu vicaratāmindriyāṇāṁ balādāharaṇaṁ pratyāharaḥ । yadyatpaśyati tatsarvamāmeti pratyāhāraḥ । nityavihitakarmaphalatyāgaḥ pratyāhāraḥ । sarvaviṣayaparāṅmukhatvaṁ pratyāhāraḥ । aṣṭādaśasu marmasthāneṣu kramāddhāraṇaṁ pratyāhāraḥ ... ॥ 1.8॥ </blockquote>
== प्रत्याहारस्य महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Pratyahara ==
== प्रत्याहारस्य महत्त्वम् ॥ Importance of Pratyahara ==
Pratyahara is primarily a condition of the senses (Indriya dharma). In Asana and Pranayama, the exterior layers of the mind-[[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] relationship are brought under control. In Pratyahara, the senses are mastered.<ref name=":2">Swami Veda Bharati (2001), Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Volume II Sadhana Pada), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
Pratyahara is primarily a condition of the senses (Indriya dharma). In Asana and Pranayama, the exterior layers of the mind-[[Sharira (शरीरम्)|body]] relationship are brought under control. In Pratyahara, the senses are mastered.<ref name=":2">Swami Veda Bharati (2001), Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Volume II Sadhana Pada), Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.</ref>
It is a powerful way to master the mind, cultivate inner peace and boost one's focus and concentration. However, before learning to control one's senses, it is important to understand why it is required to do. Pratyahara is considered important in Yoga as it helps the practitioner progress to Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and eventually, to the goal of Samadhi (union with the Divine). Because, by withdrawing the focus from the senses and the external environment, the mind can turn inward, deepening Yogic practice. So, the main objective of Pratyahara is about training the mind to withdraw from the senses. Therefore, the prime benefits of Pratyahara include
It is a powerful way to master the mind, cultivate inner peace and boost one's focus and concentration. However, before learning to control one's senses, it is important to understand why it is required to do. Pratyahara is considered important in Yoga as it helps the practitioner progress to Dharana (concentration), [[Dhyana (ध्यानम्)|Dhyana]] (meditation) and eventually, to the goal of Samadhi (union with the Divine). Because, by withdrawing the focus from the senses and the external environment, the mind can turn inward, deepening Yogic practice. So, the main objective of Pratyahara is about training the mind to withdraw from the senses. Therefore, the prime benefits of Pratyahara include
* Allowing the mind to be peaceful so that good concentration can be developed.
* Allowing the mind to be peaceful so that good concentration can be developed.
* Helping to stay away from distraction or disturbance<ref name=":0" />
* Helping to stay away from distraction or disturbance<ref name=":0" />
# प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Prana Pratyahara ie. control of prana
# प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Prana Pratyahara ie. control of prana
# कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Karma Pratyahara ie. control of action
# कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Karma Pratyahara ie. control of action
# मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawal of mind from the senses.
# मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawal of mind from the senses.<ref name=":3" />
=== इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of the Senses ===
=== इन्द्रियप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of the Senses ===
Laya Yoga is the yoga of the inner sound and light current, in which the focus is on subtle senses inorder to withdraw from the gross senses. This withdrawal into inner sound and light is a means of transforming the mind and is another form of indriyapratyahara.<ref name=":3" />
Laya Yoga is the yoga of the inner sound and light current, in which the focus is on subtle senses inorder to withdraw from the gross senses. This withdrawal into inner sound and light is a means of transforming the mind and is another form of indriyapratyahara.<ref name=":3" />
=== प्राणप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of Prana ===
Control of the senses requires the development and control of prana because the senses follow prana or the vital energy. If the prana is scattered or disturbed, the senses will also be scattered and disturbed. Prana is gathered in pranayama and withdrawn in pratyahara. Yogic texts describe methods of withdrawing prana from different parts of the body.
Perhaps the best method of prana-pratyahara is to visualize the death process, in which the prana, or the life-force, withdraws from the body, shutting off all the senses from the feet to the head. Ramana Maharshi achieved Self-realization by doing this when he was a mere boy of seventeen. Before inquiring into the Self, he visualized his body as dead, withdrawing his prana into the mind and the mind into the heart. This complete and intense pratyahara, is the reason for the success of his meditative process.<ref name=":3" />
=== कर्मप्रत्याहारः ॥ Control of Action ===
The impulses coming in through the senses get expressed through the motor organs and this drives further sensory involvement. Thus, the sense organs cannot be controlled without controlling the motor organs. And it is right work and right action that gives control of the motor organs. This involves karma yoga ie. performing selfless service and making life a sacred ritual.
Karma pratyahara can be performed by surrendering any thought of personal rewards for what the actions performed, doing everything as service to the Supreme Being or to humanity.<ref name=":3" /> The Bhagavad Gita says, <blockquote>कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।<ref name=":4">Bhagavad Gita, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83 Chapter 2 (Sankhya Yoga)]</ref></blockquote>It essentially refers to one's duty to act without seeking a reward for the actions. This is one kind of pratyahara. It also includes the practice of austerities that lead to control of the motor organs. For example, asana can be used to control the hands and feet that is needed while required to sit quietly for extended periods of time.<ref name=":3" />
=== मनोप्रत्याहारः ॥ Withdrawal of the Mind ===
Mind is responsible for coordinating all the other sense organs. The sensory impressions are taken in only from where the mind's attention is placed. And the mind's attention is limited. So, attention is placed on one sensory impression by withdrawing the mind from other impressions. In that sense, one is always practicing Pratyahara.
The senses are controlled by withdrawing the mind's attention from them.<ref name=":3" /> According to the Yoga Sutras,
स्वविषयासंप्रयोगे चित्तस्य स्वरूपानुकार इवेन्द्रियाणांप्रत्याहारः ।। २.५४ ।।<ref name=":1" />
Meaning: When the senses do not conform with their own objects but imitate the nature of the mind, that is Pratyahara. More specifically, it is Mano Pratyahara ie. withdrawing the senses from their objects and directing them inward to the nature of the mind, which is formless. Vyasa's commentary on the Yoga Sutra notes that the mind is like the queen bee and the senses are the worker bees. Wherever the queen bee goes, all the other bees must follow. Thus mano pratyahara is less about controlling the senses than about controlling the mind, for when the mind is controlled, the senses are automatically controlled.
Mano Pratyahara can be practised by consciously withdrawing attention from unwholesome impressions whenever they arise. This is the highest and the most difficult form of pratyahara. Without gaining proficiency in controlling the senses, motor organs, and pranas, it is unlikely to work. Bacause prana and the senses can easily overcome a weak mind. Therefore, it is preferred to begin the journey of Pratyahara with more practical methods.<ref name=":3" />
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==
== अभ्यासः ॥ The Practice ==
# Sitting comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or in any other comfortable position of one's choice except lying down as the posture may induce sleep. Because, Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness. And the idea is to remain conscious and not sleep.
# Sitting comfortably on a chair, on the floor, or in any other comfortable position of one's choice except lying down as the posture may induce sleep. Because, Pratyahara is not relaxation, it is an exercise of awareness. And the idea is to remain conscious and not sleep.
# Closing the eyes and not moving the body or moving as little as possible for about 10 minutes.<ref name=":0" />
# Closing the eyes and not moving the body or moving as little as possible for about 10 minutes.<ref name=":0" />
== प्रत्याहारः स्वास्थ्यं च ॥ Pratyahara and Health ==
All mental illnesses are connected with the intake of unwholesome impressions. Pratyahara therefore, is an important first step in treating all mental disorders. Similarly, it is very helpful in treating nervous system disorders, particularly those that arise through hyperactivity.
Over expression of emotions leads to tremendous loss of energy. Pratyahara trains one to hold the energy within and avoid dispersing it unnecessarily. This conserved energy can then be drawn upon for creative, spiritual or healing purposes as needed and can provide the extra power to do the things that are important.
As for physical disease that mainly arise from taking in unwholesome food, Pratyahara lends control of the senses that curbs the craving for wrong food. Thus, when the senses are controlled, everything is controlled.<ref name=":3" />
== References ==
== References ==